The 2026 MLS Cup playoffs will begin on November 19, with 18 teams battling for the league title after 12 franchises saw their seasons come to an end on Decision Day.
Inter Miami will attempt to become the first club in 14 years to successfully defend the MLS Cup, while New England Revolution, FC Dallas, Philadelphia Union and Vancouver Whitecaps will be chasing their first-ever championship.
The postseason will feature a Wild Card round, a best-of-three Round One series, conference semifinals and finals before the MLS Cup final on December 18.
MLS Cup Wild Card matches
The Eastern Conference Wild Card match will see Orlando City host FC Cincinnati on November 19 at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the winner advancing to face Nashville SC.
In the Western Conference, Seattle Sounders will welcome Real Salt Lake later that evening at 10:00 p.m. ET. The winner will earn a place in Round One against Vancouver Whitecaps.
Both matches will be played on the same day as the race for the MLS Cup gets underway.
Round One fixtures and schedule
Round One will use a best-of-three format, with the higher-seeded team hosting the opening match and a potential deciding third game.
Unlike the other playoff rounds, matches level after regulation time will be decided by penalty shootouts.
The opening fixtures will take place on November 21, when New England Revolution host Philadelphia Union at 2:00 p.m. ET. FC Dallas will face Portland Timbers at 4:00 p.m., before Inter Miami take on Columbus Crew at 6:00 p.m.
On November 22, Supporters’ Shield winners Nashville SC will host either Orlando City or FC Cincinnati at 4:00 p.m. Chicago Fire will welcome Charlotte FC at 6:30 p.m., while Vancouver Whitecaps will face either Seattle or Real Salt Lake at 8:30 p.m.
St. Louis CITY will host LAFC on November 23 at 8:00 p.m. ET, with San Jose Earthquakes taking on Houston Dynamo the following day at 10:00 p.m.
The second matches in the series will begin on November 27, when Columbus host Inter Miami at 8:00 p.m. and either Seattle or Real Salt Lake welcome Vancouver at 10:00 p.m.
November 28 will feature six more fixtures. Charlotte will host Chicago at 12:30 p.m., followed by Houston against San Jose at 2:30 p.m.
Philadelphia will then welcome New England at 4:30 p.m., while Nashville face either Orlando or Cincinnati at 6:30 p.m. LAFC will host St. Louis at 8:30 p.m., before Portland take on Dallas at 10:30 p.m.
If any series remains undecided after two matches, the third and deciding game will be played on December 2.
Conference finals and MLS Cup date
The conference semifinals are scheduled for December 5 and 6, with the conference finals taking place between December 11 and 12.
The 2026 MLS Cup final will then be played on December 18, with kick-off scheduled for either 8:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. ET.
Inter Miami will be among the leading contenders as they seek to retain their crown, but the remaining teams will be determined to prevent them from making history.
